Europe: monthly online B2C used car retail price index by selected countries 2023

Except for Poland and Sweden, the online business-to-consumer used car retail price index in selected European countries had decreased or remained stable at the beginning of June 2023. In most countries surveyed, this retail index had increased compared to used car prices recorded in January 2022. France and Portugal recorded the steepest price inflation, at a price index of 106 and 105.7, respectively. In contrast, used cars in Germany and the United Kingdom were cheaper in June 2023 than in January 2022.

The UK used car market: Boosted by national supply
Most European countries imported a large share of the used cars in circulation in each country. At a share of 10.73 percent for imported used cars, the United Kingdom was one of the few European countries to rely heavily on its national supply of used vehicles. Nearly 6.9 million used cars were sold in the UK in 2022, though the cost of living crisis and used car price hike have dampened the success of this national market.

Portugal: Inflation and the used car market
Even in markets more reliant on used car imports, inflation has impacted the market. Over 67 percent of the light passenger vehicle market in Portugal was reliant on used vehicle imports from the European Union, but only 18 percent of consumers intended to purchase a used car as of November 2022. However, while car demand has been influenced by rising prices, inflation has also contributed to the popularity of secondhand vehicles. In Portugal, 93 percent of consumers preferred a used purchase over a new car due to the new car prices, a share which reached 83 percent for the United Kingdom.